Motorized mobile

ABSTRACT

Fixed housing contains a cam and rotatably supports a display shaft carrier. A motor rotates the shaft carrier, and a cam follower on each shaft oscillationally rotates each shaft on its own axis as the shaft carrier rotates on the housing axis. Displays are mounted on each shaft so that the displays rotate on the housing axis and oscillate on the shaft axis. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is mounted over a crib, and the motor for driving the shaft carrier is mountable on the side of the crib.

United States Patent 1191 Van Horne Jinivisian et al. Nov. 18, 1975 MOTORIZED MOBILE 2.846.223 8/1958 M15011 272/31 R 4 l 9 1 1 v 3,232,222 2112:: s asm Jamslav (Ferny, both of L05 3,808,719 5/1974 Stubbmann 40/28 R Angeles, Cahf. [73] Assignee: Sydney C. Van Horne Jinivisian, FOFEIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIOFfi Sherman Oaks, l,3l8.7l l/l963 France ..7../3l R [22] Filed: Sept 1974 Primary E.\'anziner-Robert W. Michell [21] Appl. No; 508,441 Assistant Examiner-John F. Pitrelli Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Allan M. Shapiro [52] US. Cl. 40/33; 40/1063; 46/32;

1 272/31 [57] ABSTRACT g g g l g g Fixed housing contains a cam and rotatably supports a g g 1 28 g 2.72/3 display shaft carrier. A motor rotates the shaft carrier, R 6 46/32 137 and a cam follower on each shaft oscillationally ro- 1 4 1 A tates each shaft on its own axis as the shaft carrier rotates on the housing axis. Displays are mounted on each shaft so that the displays rotate on the housing [56] References C'ted axis and oscillate on the shaft axis. In the preferred UNITED STATES PATENTS embodiment, the housing is mounted over a crib, and 256,192 4/!882 Barnes 272/31 R the motor for driving the shaft carrier is mountable on 1,825,92l 10/1931 Roeder 272/31 R the side of the crib, 2.195.805 4/l940 Baker 272/44 X 2,828,963 4/1958 Steiner 46/47 X 10 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures w as 98 US, atent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheet 1 of2 3,919,795

IO 7o U.S. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 W- -II-- I III] 'IIA Sheet 2 of 2 QOTATION MOTORIZED MOBILE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention .This invention is directed to a motorized mobile, and particularly a mobile for imparting motion about two axes to a display. I .1 r

2. Description of the Prior Art In order to provide entertainment to -a baby without the immediate direct time involvement of its mother, attention-attracting devices have been attached to cribs. Kravatch U.S. Pat. No.3,290,8l7 discloses a winddriven mobile of appropriate structure for se curement to a babys crib. In that patent, the suspended elements are simulated birds which are carried on flexible cords. When mounted above the childs crib, the suspended simulated birds will receive motion by vibration of the crib or due to a draft.

The structure disclosed in Stubbmann U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,735 is more sophisticated. That patent disclosed a spring-driven mobile which is attachable to an infants crib. A plurality of artwork objects are attached to the end of arms. The arms are mounted on a central shaft which is rotated. The artwork objects are attached to the ends of the arms in such a manner that, for each cycle of rotation, the object flips over due to gravity. This structure provides a support for the object by which it acquires some motion, but the motion is not capable of control or system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to aid in the understanding of this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that is is directed to a carrier which is rotatable about an axis, with a rotatable shaft mounted in the carrier. Drive for the rotatable shaft is by means of a cam so that the shaft oscillates about its own axis while it rotates about-the axis of rotation of the carrier.

It is an object of this invention to provide a motorized mobile which provides an interesting powered motion to display members. mounted on the mobile. It is another object to provide acam mechanism which drives the display members as the display members are rotated about a central axis so that the action of the display members is positively controlled. It is another object to provide a motorized mobile wherein the mobile portion thereof is in one location and the motor housing serves as a support therefor. It is a further object to provide a motorized mobile which is especially useful in its preferred embodiment to be mounted so that display members are visible over the crib of a baby.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, and together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be understood best by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawmgs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the preferred embodiment of the motorized mobile of this invention, showing it in the form of a crib-mounted mobile and showing it mounted on a crib which is partly broken away.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical section taken generally along the line'33 of FIG. 2, with shafts being shown in elevation and perspective.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of most of the structure shown in- FIG. 3 with the same aspect.

FIG. 5 consists of respective plan views (a), (b), (c) and (d) of the corresponding portions of the structure shown in FIG. 4 as seen in the directions of corresponding arrows a, b, c, and d in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view .ofa display member shaft, with part of the shaft broken away, showing the cam follower.

FIG. is a projected view of the cam faces showing a cam follower in association therewith to illustrate the oscillatory rotation of the display member shafts.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The exterior configuration of the motorized mobile is shown at 10 in FIGS. 1 and 2. In its preferred embodiment, the motorized mobile 10 is especially structured so that it is useful as a mobile to be positioned over a childs bed or crib. FIG. 1 shown crib 12 having crib rails 14 and 16 which protect an infant from falling off mattress 18. In addition, the crib has a suitable headboard and a footboard to enclose the crib area. Mobile 10 is shown as being mounted on crib rail 14, although it can be mounted on either the headboard or footboard, if desired.

Motive housing 20 has a hook 22 for engagement over the top of the rail or either the headboard or footboard for mounting of the mobile on the crib. Motive housing 20 contains a motor which is preferably an electric motor, together with suitable reduction gears to provide the desired shaft speed. Shaft housing 24 is in the form of a tubular sleeve which is mounted on the top of motive housing 20. The shaft housing contains flexible shaft 25, see FIG. 3, which is driven by the motor through the reduction gears. The electric motor is preferably battery-driven to eliminate electric shock danger, and the batteries are also mounted within motive housing 20. On-off switch 26, see FIG. 1, controls the current to the motor. If desired, the motor can be powered by line current so that a plugin cord would extend from motive housing 20, instead of having it contain batteries. As an additional feature, motive housing 20 can contain sound-producing equipment, such as a music box, so that music is produced when the motor is turned on.

As is best shown in FIG. 1, shaft housing 24 extends upward from motive housing 20. The shaft housing is shaped as by bending to position main housing 28 of motorized mobile 10 in a position that is best visible. As indicated in FIG. 2, shaft housing 24 is rotatable in its connection into motive housing 20 so that the shaft housing and main housing can be swung out of the way. If the shaft housing 24 requires it, strengthening rib 30 can be applied to increase its bending strength. The necessary strength of shaft housing 24 to resist bending can be found either in making the shaft housing out of material with strength together with proper diameter and adequate sidewall thickness, or may be achieved by employment of the strengthening rib 30.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show the internal structure of the novel main housing 28 in more detail. Body 32 is nonrotative. Boss 34 extends from the left end and accepts collar 36 on the upper end of shaft housing 24. The collar is maintained in position by means of nut 38 which engages on threads in the outer surface of boss or is otherwise engaged thereon and engages around the shoulder formed at the left side of collar 36. Thus, body 32 is secured on the outer end of shaft housing 24. The most important internal features of body 32 include upper cam surface 40, the shape of which is shown in projected form in FIG. 7. The cam surface is a face cam about the substantially vertical central axis of body 32. The preferred .configuration of the cam is shown in FIG. 7. Another important internal feature of body 32 is its central shaft 42. Central shaft 42 has a cylindrical exterior surface which is cylindrical about the central axis of body 32 and in fact defines the central axis. It is the axis about which the display member portions of the mobile rotate.

Closure 44 serves to close the otherwise open bottom of body 32. It contains hole 46 by which closure plate 44 is mounted on shaft 42. Preferably, the lower portion of shaft 42 has a non-round feature, such as a keyway or flat 47, and hole 46 has a corresponding key or flat so that closure plate 44 can be installed in only one angular position on shaft 42 and is restrained from rotation with respect thereto. Snap ring 48 or other convenient securement means attaches closure plate 44 in place. The significant features of closure plate 44 include lower cam surface 50, the shape of which is shown in projected form in FIG. 7. In addition, closure plate 44 has an upstanding rim 52 which serves to provide a radial bearing surface 54 in addition to the axial bearing surface 56 on the upper surface of lower closure plate 44.

Carrier 58 has a lower face 60 and an outer cylindrical surface 62 which respectively bear against axial bearing surface 56 and radial bearing surface 54 to locate carrier 58 within the enclosure of body 32. Bevel gear 64 is formed on the upper surface of carrier 58 and is positioned so that it is engaged by bevel pinion 66 mounted on the end of drive shaft 25. Thus, by rotation of drive shaft 25 from the motor in motive housing 20, carrier 58 rotates. A plurality of angle holes 68, illustrated in the preferred embodiment as four, are formed through carrier 58 below bevel gear 64. Angle holes 68 are each configured to accept one of the display shafts. Each of these display shafts is identical and preferably is in the shape of an elongated rod over most of its length. Display shaft 70 has a shaft end which extends downward and outward through hole 68. Above the cylidrical rod portion of the display shaft is cam follower 72. Cam follower 72 has two follower fingers 74, 76, see FIG. 7. Locator head 78 is round and formed on the upper end of display shaft 70. 7

Carrier 58 includes a stop 80, see FIG. 4, against which locator head 78 engages. Stop 80 thus limits outward end movement of display shafts 70. When all display shafts 70 are in position, cap 82 is installed. Cap 82 has an outer surface 84 which engages within guide bore 86 in carrier 58. When inserted, snap ring 88 (See FIG. 3) holds cap 82 down in place on carrier 58. Cap 82 includes a half-round bearing surface 90 which engages on shaft 70 between, head 78 and cam follower 72 and includes a stop surface 92 which engages on the top of head 78. Thus shaft 70 is radially and axially constrained, but can rotate about its own axis within angle holes 68 as required by cam follower 72. Openings 94 in carrier 58 permit the cam followers to engage against both cam faces and permit shaft 70 to rotate within the limits of control provided by the cam follower.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pad 96 is mounted on the outer end of each shaft 70. The pad serves as a mounting location for an artwork display member. Two artwork display members are indicated at 98.

In operation, the motor in motive housing 20 is turned on by operation of switch 26. The music box starts, if one is furnished, and shaft 25 rotates. By interengagement of pinion 66 with gear 64, carrier 58 with its cap 82 rotates on the vertical axis defined by bearing surface 93 rotating on central shaft 42. This same axis is defined by carrier 58 rotating against surfaces 54 and 56. With such rotation, cam follower fingers 74 and 76 are drawn along the length of cam surfaces 40 and 50. Being restrained by the cam follower, shaft does not rotate except under the dictates of the cam surfaces. As the follower fingers reach contoured shapes in the cam, display shaft 70 oscillates. As is shown in FIG. 7, two oscillations are provided with each revolution in the preferred embodiment. With four display shafts, this provides considerable action and motion. The cam shapes can be formed to provide particular action; for example, when the artwork display member 98 is as indicated in FIG. 1, the forward oscillatory rotation can be at a faster rate than in the pick-raising direction to give the visual appearance of proper pick action and/or walking action.

Employing the same general main housing structure, the motorized mobile may be employed in a different orientation such as inverted from the position shown in FIG. 3 and directly mounted upon motive housing 20. In this way, the motorized mobile may be positioned on a table for ornamental, attractive attention-getting. Such an arrangement uses the same kind of internal structure 28.

This invention having been described in its preferred I embodiment, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A motorized mobile comprising:

a body, means for supporting said body, first and second cam surfaces within said body;

a carrier rotatably mounted on said body for rotation about a first axis, means connected to said carrier for rotating said carrier with respect to said body on said first axis;

a display shaft rotatably mounted in said carrier for oscillatory rotation about a display shaft axis which is positioned at an angle with respect to said first axis, a cam follower on said display shaft, said cam follower being in engagement with said first and second cam surfaces so that oscillatory rotation of said display shaft about its axis is controlled by said cam faces as said carrier rotates within said body, means confining the movement of said display shaft, relative to said carrier, to oscillatory rotation about said display shaft axis.

2. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein:

said cam faces face each other and said cam follower has follower fingers which face away from each other.

3. The motorized mobile of claim 2 wherein:

said first and second cam faces have corresponding contours so that said cam follower is substantially under positive constraint.

4. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein:

said body includes a main part and a closure plate secured thereto, said closure plate carrying one of said cam surfaces and the main part of said body carrying the other of said cam surfaces.

5. The motorized mobile of claim 4 wherein:

The main part of said body has a central shaft extending therefrom and extending through the center of said body to define said axis of rotation, said shaft being fixed to the main part of said body and said closure plate being irrotatably fixed to said shaft so that said first and second cam surfaces are irrotative with respect to each other.

6. The motorized mobile of claim 5 wherein:

said carrier has angular openings therethrough for rotatable receipt of said display shafts, said display shafts each having a head thereon, and said carrier having a stop therein engaged by said head to axially limit the motion of said display shafts in a first direction with respect to said carrier.

7. The motorized mobile of claim 6 wherein:

said carrier has a cap secured thereto, said cap having a stop surface for engagement over the head on said display shaft to limit axial motion of said display shaft in a second direction 8. The motorized mobile of claim 7 wherein: said drive means includes a separate motive housing for containing motor means for motivating said mobile, mounting means on said motive housing for mounting said motive housing, a tube extending from said motive housing to said body to support said body, and a flexible shaft within said tube to convey power from said motive housing to rotate said carrier in said body.

9. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein: said drive means includes a separate motive housing a gear on said flexible shaft engages with a gear on said carrier so that rotation of said flexible shaft causes rotation of said carrier. 

1. A motorized mobile comprising: a body, means for supporting said body, first and second cam surfaces within said body; a carrier rotatably mounted on said body for rotation about a first axis, means connected to said carrier for rotating said carrier with respect to said body on said first axis; a display shaft rotatably mounted in said carrier for oscillatory rotation about a display shaft axis which is positioned at an angle with respect to said first axis, a cam follower on said display shaft, said cam follower being in engagement with said first and second cam surfaces so that oscillatory rotation of said display shaft about its axis is controlled by said cam faces as said carrier rotates within said body, means confining the movement of said display shaft, relative to said carrier, to oscillatory rotation about said display shaft axis.
 2. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein: said cam faces face each other and said cam follower has follower fingers which face away from each other.
 3. The motorized mobile of claim 2 wherein: said first and second cam faces have corresponding contours so that said cam follower is substantially under positive constraint.
 4. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein: said body includes a main part and a closure plate secured thereto, said closure plate carrying one of said cam surfaces and the main part of said body carrying the other of said cam surfaces.
 5. The motorized mobile of claim 4 wherein: The main part of said body has a central shaft extending therefrom and extending through the center of said body to define said axis of rotation, said shaft being fixed to the main part of said body and said closure plate being irrotatably fixed to said shaft so that said first and second cam surfaces are irrotative with respect to each other.
 6. The motorized mobile of claim 5 wherein: said carrier has angular openings therethrough for rotatable receipt of said display shafts, said display shafts each having a head thereon, and said carrier having a stop therein engaged by said head to axially limit the motion of said display shafts in a first direction with respect to said carrier.
 7. The motorized moBile of claim 6 wherein: said carrier has a cap secured thereto, said cap having a stop surface for engagement over the head on said display shaft to limit axial motion of said display shaft in a second direction.
 8. The motorized mobile of claim 7 wherein: said drive means includes a separate motive housing for containing motor means for motivating said mobile, mounting means on said motive housing for mounting said motive housing, a tube extending from said motive housing to said body to support said body, and a flexible shaft within said tube to convey power from said motive housing to rotate said carrier in said body.
 9. The motorized mobile of claim 1 wherein: said drive means includes a separate motive housing for containing motor means for motivating said mobile, mounting means on said motive housing for mounting said motive housing, a tube extending from said motive housing to said body to support said body, and a flexible shaft within said tube to convey power from said motive housing to rotate said carrier in said body.
 10. The motorized mobile of claim 9 wherein: a gear on said flexible shaft engages with a gear on said carrier so that rotation of said flexible shaft causes rotation of said carrier. 